We tried in 2020 and again in 2021, but COVID-19 had other plans. Now in 2022,  agency employees who have been teleworking for more than two years are finally returning to the physical workplace to join their colleagues who, because of the nature of their jobs, have been reporting in person throughout the pandemic.

COVID-19 has changed the way we socialize, from how much space we give strangers on the sidewalk to the language we use when we interact with coworkers. There are bound to be conflicts and challenges as people return to the physical workplace and come in close contact with others, after two years of isolation. Plus, President Biden’s vaccine requirement for Feds was just reinstated – and there are multiple considerations to make in disciplining unvaccinated employees. We’ve put together a three-part webinar series Navigating the Return to the Post-pandemic Federal Workplace on May 4, 11 and 18. We’ll tackle COVID-related harassment and reprisal, what to do with telework as a reasonable accommodation request, how to handle employees who refuse to be vaccinated or fail to report back in person, and more.

This month’s newsletter covers new MPSB case takeaways, union participation in meetings, COVID-related leave and harassment, and much more.

Take care,